Chapter 66
CHAPTER 66
JULIET
T he early morning air is cool, carrying the crisp scent of winter and roses. Sitting on the wooden bench I’ve come to regard as my and Valaric’s special place, I observe the gentle ascent of the sun. Golden light filters through the trees, setting the snow-covered landscape on fire in brilliant shades of orange and yellow.
Closing my eyes, I allow this peaceful moment to ground me. I’d be lying if I said I was not concerned about the curse, but since there is nothing I can do for it right now, I will not allow my fear to consume my every thought.
The soft crunch of gravel alerts me to someone’s approach and I turn to find Eben walking toward me. “How are you feeling?”
“Better.” I do my best to offer him a faint smile, but I’m sure it falls short. Although I understand why he and the others kept the curse from me, it still hurts that they lied. I’ve already spoken to everyone but Eben. “Thank you.”
He joins me on the bench and gives me a hesitant look. “I never got the chance to apologize properly for not telling you.”
“I forgive you.” I swallow back the lump in my throat. “It hurt, but I understand now why all of you kept it from me.”
Guilt mars his expression, and he quickly looks away. “We do not deserve your forgiveness.”
“Well, you have it anyway.” I rest my hand atop his. His gaze snaps back to mine, full of disbelief. “All of you are like family to me, Eben. I forgive you. Truly.”
“Thank you.”
I look back at the horizon and change the subject. “Have you found anything out about Valaric’s previous wives? Any clues about where they have gone?”
“No. Whatever happened to them, I’m sure it was the witch’s doing. We haven’t discovered anything yet, but we’re not giving up.”
I nod, grateful for his tenacity. “And your family… have you decided if you’ll join House Greyvale?”
“It’s not decided yet. Reyla and Lysander have already agreed, but my mother has some reservations,” he explains. “She trusts Valaric, but she is still a bit wary of Damar. She knows he only offered this to us because he is desperate to strengthen his House.” He sighs. “My mother worries he would consider us Day Guardians instead of true members of the Clan.”
“Valaric would not let him do that,” I tell him. “And as far as strengthening House Greyvale, isn’t more protection a good thing for everyone, including the pack?”
Eben nods. “That’s what my mother is considering as well. There is strength in numbers.”
“Please, think about it,” I urge. “I want all of you to be safe if—” My voice falters, the weight of my worry momentarily overwhelming.
“If what?” Eben looks at me in concern.
“If the curse cannot be broken. I love Valaric dearly, but I’ve come to love all of you too, like my own family. I need to know you’ll all be all right.”
“Oh, Juliet.” Remorse lines his features. “We do not deserve you.”
“Enough of that,” I gently chastise. “No more apologies or regrets. All right?”
He gives me a reluctant nod and then places a hand on my shoulder. “We will not stop until we find a way to break the curse. And you do not need to worry for us. Especially your husband.” He smiles. “Val gave us a home when we had none. He’s part of our pack. My mother cares for him like a son, and Kaely considers him her uncle. You have my vow that we would always look out for him if anything were to happen.”
His words, spoken with such conviction, bring a sense of comfort. I tip my head up toward the sun, sending a silent prayer of thanks to the gods.
“Do you miss living in the light?” he asks. “Do you miss your old life?”
“Sometimes. But I do love it here.” I offer him another smile—a genuine one this time. “I love Valaric. I still miss my mother and my brother, but I feel like all of you are my family as well.”
“Except Damar,” he says with a teasing grin.
“Even him.” I laugh. “I just try to think of him as Valaric’s pretentious and mildly intolerable older brother.” Eben snorts. “But I would not trade this life for anything.”
“You should come back inside,” Reyla’s voice chimes in as she walks toward us, carrying a blanket. She drapes the thick quilt around my shoulders. “There. That should ward off most of the chill.” She gives me a warm smile. “I’ve got some hot chocolate waiting for you inside.”
As I walk inside with Eben and Reyla, I spare a glance at the enchanted rosebush. The petals are drooping and several are scattered around the base in the snow, reminding me that time is growing short.
I’ve found a home here. A family. And I would give anything to be able to stay.
Moisture clings to my skin from my recent bath as I walk through the castle. I decided to bathe in my old room, not wanting to wake Valaric if he was already sleeping. A faint shiver traces down my spine, and I clutch my thick robe closer around me as I descend down the spiraling staircase to Valaric’s chambers— our chambers , I correct myself.
Carefully, I turn the knob to enter, not wanting to wake him if he’s already asleep. I push the door open and slip through. A startled gasp escapes me when I notice movement near the fireplace.
A smile curves my mouth when I see Valaric lighting the hearth to warm the room. He turns to me with a piercing gaze. Soft knit pants hug lean hips and toned thighs, but he wears nothing else. My gaze travels over his broad shoulders and his muscular physique.
He moves with preternatural grace as he crosses the room in three long strides. He removes my robes and shoes, leaving me in only my silken shift, and then envelops me in his arms and wings, chasing away the chill in the air.
“You’re so cold.” Worry lines his handsome features as he cups my cheek, his thumb brushing lightly over my skin. “Come. Let me warm you.”
Lifting me effortlessly, he carries me to our bed. Gently, he lays me down on the soft mattress and then crawls in beside me, pulling the thick blankets and furs over us both.
His body is a line of heat at my back, his arm a reassuring weight around my waist. I turn to face him and gaze into his crimson eyes.
Valaric brushes a lock of hair from my face, studying me as if I were a rare and precious thing as he folds his wings around me. “Better?” he murmurs into my hair.
I snuggle into his embrace. “Much.”
He presses a kiss to my temple. “Tomorrow, I will travel with Aerlyx to Kendar.”
“Why? What’s in Kendar?”
“Lyra’s home,” he replies. “It has been twenty years since I made the bargain with her family. If the curse is truly broken, perhaps she may be there.”
I push up on my elbow. “You think the witch may have actually returned them to their homes and their families?”
“It is my hope.” He tucks a stray tendril of hair behind my ear. “Because if she has, then the dark spell has been lifted. Which means—”
“I won’t fall into an enchanted sleep,” I finish his sentence. Hope sparks within, but I push it back down, trying to temper it until we know more. I shudder as an image of the glass coffins resurfaces in my mind.
“Are you still cold?” he asks softly.
I shake my head.
He cups my chin, tilting my face up to his. “The bond between us may still be muted, but I can sense something is bothering you. What is it?”
“I had another nightmare yesterday. Of my attack.”
“Did you remember anything new? Anything that could help us determine who it was that hurt you?”
“No.” I swallow against the lump forming in my throat. “I just”—I hesitate a moment, unsure if I should speak my fears aloud—“I was wondering if I would dream… if I was asleep in one of those glass coffins.” My voice quavers. “It would be terrible to be stuck in a nightmare, unable to awaken.”
“I will not let that happen.” Determination lines his features. “If the curse has not already been broken, I will find a way to break it. I swear to you.”
Tears burn the back of my eyes. “You cannot promise this, Valaric. And I don’t want you to.”
“Why not?”
“Because if I end up like the others, I do not want you to blame yourself. I want you to be happy.”
“You are my heart.” He drops his forehead gently to my own. “You are mine, and I will not allow anyone or anything to take you from me. Not even this curse.”
Before I can reply, he leans toward the bedside table, retrieving something from one of the drawers.
“Here.” He presents a blade, holding it out for my inspection.
“What is this?”
“An enchanted blade. If you nick your opponent and draw even one drop of their blood with that blade, it will remember.” He presses the hilt into my hand. “Prince Raine gave it to me. It is called ‘Oathrend.’ After it has touched the blood of your enemy, you can throw it, and it will find its target.”
“Why would he give you this?” I frown. “And more importantly, do you trust him?”
“As far as this is concerned, I do.” He meets my gaze evenly. “The prince is a vocari. This power allows him to read the thoughts of others. He can also manipulate them with his mind.”
The memory of Valaric writhing in pain before the prince flashes through my mind. “Is that what he did to you at Darkhall Manor?” I touch his face. “Did he use his powers to hurt you?”
“Yes.” He grits his fangs. “I was able to resist, but not before he discovered my curse.” He looks down at the knife. “It’s the reason he gave me this. He believed I could use it against the witch.”
“Do you think it will work?”
“I hope we never have to find out,” he replies grimly. “With any luck, she will simply leave us alone.”
He folds me up in his wings and drops his forehead to mine. As much as I want to believe that everything will be all right, I know that there are no guarantees. We could spend our time dwelling on what may or may not come, but I would prefer to enjoy what we have now.
As if he can read my thoughts, he pulls me close and presses his lips to mine in a kiss full of desire and longing. His hand trails down my outer thigh before he cups the back of my knee.
In one smooth motion, he pulls my leg over his hip and rolls me beneath him as he settles between my thighs, his length hard and insistent against the entrance to my core as his mouth meshes repeatedly with mine.
“I can scent your need,” he growls.
My heart hammers as he slices my silken nightshift away with his sharp claws, and his mouth lands hot and needy on my chest. I gasp as he closes his mouth over my breast and rolls his tongue over the sensitive peak.
“Valaric,” I breathe out his name as I grip his hair and arch up into his mouth, wanting more.
He turns his attention to my other breast as he slides his hand down my body. A low growl of arousal leaves his mouth as he drags his fingers through my already slick folds. “You are perfect,” he whispers against my skin. “And all mine.”
“Yours,” I agree.
He slips two fingers inside me and I arch into his hand as pleasure ripples through my body. “Valaric, please.” I’m not even sure what I’m asking for. I only know that I want more of him.
His eyes flare a moment before he captures my mouth in a searing kiss, his tongue stroking against mine. He removes his fingers and grips his hardened length, notching the crown at my entrance.
His gaze holds mine, full of fire and possession as he begins to push deep inside me.